Hello, I have been going into a deep depression because of this. It all started 3 weeks ago when I noticed I had a minor sore throat on the left side when swallowing saliva. I went to a walk-in clinic last week and have almost finished all the anti-biotics I was given for a supposed "sinus infection", which I know I don't have. I have no other symptoms and feel completely fine outside of this issue.
Whenever I swallow saliva I will feel a dull ache or quick pinch deep near my left lymph node, near under the left side of my jaw. It is about an inch or two to the left of my adam's apple.
I don't notice it as much when eating but I do when drinking. I've been taking 1200mg of ibuprofen a day which sometimes gets rid of the pain for a few hours, but it's starting to have no effect. I would only rate the pain a 2 or 3 out of 10, so it's minor, but it has been constantly there for 3 weeks.
I've researched this like crazy and I feel it's not related to the throat, but more so my neck/left lymph node area that stems to beneath the left of my jaw. There's nothing visibly wrong so I'm at a total loss. I've read it could be inflammation of the cardoid sheath over my jugular vein, as I do always feel my pulse when I touch the area where it aches after swallowing. I've so read thyroid issue, lymph node issues and just about everything else.
The issue is that I have to see my Doctor to get referred to a specialist but because of the holiday season he is booked until the 20th of November. I fear going to the hospital would just lead to me getting an inconclusive result as I feel this cannot be determined by just feeling the area for it feels like it always has on the outside. Still, I cannot get away from this ache or pinch when swallowing.
Please help. Any kind of insight would go miles to calming me down. I also suffer from Bipolar 2 disorder so this does not help. I smoked for 5 years but recently quit. I'm a tall 27 years old in otherwise good health.
A photo of the area it hurts, roughly, as it's very hard to pinpoint. It's not tender to the touch but if I feel around for a few minutes it ends up hurting more when I swallow afterwards. http://imgur.com/C7BQlyx
Hi! Try not to panic. Book a Doctor, go and see the Dentist. Also, I would go to the Hospital, they take your blood test and will check you propelly. I would've done it. May be need to wait but 4-5 hours and you know where you are.
Can be anything: nerves, neck problems, throat... just google it. I know do it myself.
Do you eat? Do you feel well? The symptoms didn't get worse?
Don't worry, may be simple explanation.
Good luck!
Thank you for your kind comment. I have a Doctor's appointment in two weeks. The hospitals here are booked and it's an all-day wait. The walk-in clinic Doctor that I seen last week couldn't find anything wrong with me outside of a supposed "sinus infection" even though I don't have one. I have no other symptoms and they do not get worse. I eat fine and have issues eating, drinking, talking, etc. It's like a pinch on the left side of my neck, near the throat but also near where you take a pulse. It feels sharp like an ear ache at times and comes and goes sometimes. Just an hour ago it was gone completely for an hour, so it's very, very strange.
I've been thinking cancer, but I have a feeling it's something far less worrisome, or so my rational side wants to believe.
YOU see if you press all the time it will start hurting. Doctors do not press as we do😉 . They check and we are trying to find a lump😊. I've been with my throat for 2 months and still don't know. Blood test is good so can not be so bad, eating is fine, didn't get worse so there is something but not cancers. Don't google just go to the Doctors.
Get well soon.
Hi Mark
One of the pitfalls for med students is that as they read of malady, they think that they recognize the disease in their own body...wait for your doc...or go to the ER
Hey there! Did you ever find out what this was? I've got a similar thing going on on my right side.
Mark. I have a similar story. Nd i have met two dentists and one throat specialist but they say its nothing but an impacted wisdom tooth. I am having very negative thoughts regarding it. Wat did ur doc say. Hav i got anything diagnosed yet? Nd is it fine now?
Hi sagar
I don't see a reply from Mark and am wondering how things have developed with you. I am experiencing the same sort of thing now for a couple of months and most of what I'm reading points to cancer so I am really terrified. Have you seen a doc and gotten a diagnosis?
hi sabine, did u find out what's the reason behind it? I have exactly the same issue as mark and the same spot. I am just as terrified at the moment because I smoke as well.
Hey nn25,
Any ideas what it could be? I've got the same issue. Doctor says it's not strep but the lymph seems to be swollen (not noticibly) I too have been feeling around causing inflammation but it's just annoying when I swallow or talk
Sometimes.
Hope it's all good
Has anyone with the same issues gotten any answers? I, too, have the same symptoms and met with my doctor today. He is treating me for a bacterial infection in the lymph nodes. He said if I do not notice any improvement in pain within 10 days, to come back. I hope that this is as simple as an infection that antibiotics will cure, but of course I started googling because I have never had anything like this before and it’s been going on for about a month now, at least. After doing some research, I came across a diagnosis of glossopharyngeal neuralgia.. I am really praying it isn’t that because that’s pretty scary to me, but it sounds just like my symptoms, except that I have no pain in my tongue.
Please update once you guys have found out what is going on with yourselves!
Thanks
What is the status of your problem now?
. coz recently it started for me.
I’ve been experiencing this lately too. I’m not sure how long it’s been going on but it starting worrying me thinking about it today. Do you have any updates yet? I know someone said something about a wisdom tooth so I think that could be what’s wrong with me, because my wisdom teeth are trying to come in right now. My mom doesn’t think it’s a big deal even though I’m worried about it. Hope you can update us soon!
Hello! Currently I am having a dull, achey pain in my left jaw/neck area. It's hard to pinpoint but id say it's below and/or diagnol from my earlobe. I don't think it's a tooth issue or a infection. I'm very nervous and would love to hear what the others who have the same ache have been diagnosed. Not sure if it's related but, I have quit smoking 2weeks ago. Please send your thoughts!!! Thanks!
Hi Zoe... Any answers yet?
Hi Ani! Have you heard anything since yu you posted last? Thanks ks!
Hey all,
So the pain got so bad I hit up the emergency room last night. Swallowing was a chore but still no noticeable swelling and Still no cause identified. I will be seeing my doc and specialist later this week. I have never had my tonsils and adenoids out and am wondering if it could be an infected tonsil. I'm hoping to get some answers soon so I'll report back any findings. FYI, Ive quit smoking cigarettes over the last year and just quit smoking marijuana to see if this is the cause as well. I'm hoping not lol
Mine started when I quit smoking. I cheated quite a bit and the issue continued... I'm hoping that smoke free (all types) will eliminate the issue.